Alex Galchenyuk, Dustin Tokarski lead Canadiens to win

Montreal Canadiens center Daniel Briere (48) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final.(Photo: Andy Marlin, USA TODAY Sports)

NEW YORK – With actor Robert De Niro in the house watching the game as a fan, the Montreal Canadiens proved they still can be a raging bull in this postseason.

Sparked by the inspirational play of No. 3 goalie Dustin Tokarski, the Canadiens battled through what could be called bad luck or adversity to defeat the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime and climb back into the Eastern Conference Final.

"The fun thing about our team is that every night, it seems like it's a new hero," said Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban.

Alex Galchenyuk was the front-and-center hero because he scored 1:12 into OT, but Tokarski was the clearly Montreal's star of the game. He had 35 saves and played like an experienced hand, even though he had played 10 NHL games before these playoffs began.

"Dustin Tokarski was phenomenal tonight," Montreal coach Michel Therrien said. "He's a battler, and most important thing, he's a winner … without Tokarski's performance, probably the result would have been different."

Watson, Saskatchewan, native Tokarski is only in the lineup because Therrien played a hunch after starting goalie Carey Price went down with a knee injury. The Canadian Olympic hero will miss the rest of the series.

"He's done more than we've asked him to do," Subban said.

Therrien bypassed No. 2 goalie Peter Budai to go with Tokarski, who made his Montreal debut 77 days ago. He was originally drafted by Tampa Bay and played seven games for the Lightning.

"You have to expect every goalie at this level, it doesn't matter if they're playing their first, second or 200th game …they're going to play well," Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said.

It's not as if Tokarski is a stranger to success. He already has won the Memorial Cup with Spokane (Wash.) in the Western Hockey League, the World Junior Championships with Team Canada and the American Hockey League's Calder Cup with the Norfolk (Va.) Admirals.

"He has proven himself at every level he's been at," said Montreal defenseman Mike Weaver. "And he's still proving it."

Tokarski proved himself to be unflappable, particularly after the Rangers tied the game 2-2 with 29 seconds left in regulation on a fluky goal by Chris Kreider. Dan Girardi shot the puck from a poor angle, Kreider re-directed it, and the puck caromed off Montreal defenseman Alexei Emelin's skate and into the net

"It's an unlucky bounce, what are you going to do?" Subban said. "But the way (Tokarski) responded … being ready, being sharp, not being upset."

Galchenyuk had no idea what happened on the game-winning goal.

"I was going to the net and (Tomas Plekanec) hit the puck. He put it on net and it bounced off my stick or hit me," said Galchenyuk, who recently returned from an injury.

The Canadiens didn't play a particularly strong overall game, but they seemed to have the determination that they showed in the last round when they knocked off the Boston Bruins.

"In the playoffs, especially, it's about winning and finding a way to win," Lundqvist said. "We have to find a way to win the next one."

Danny Briere had given the Canadiens a 2-1 lead with 3:02 left in the game, and that looked it would be the game-winner until Kreider scored.

"Today shows that we can stick with the plan and battle through adversity," Subban said. "This is a huge confidence builder for us."

Both the Canadiens and Rangers face the threat of losing a player to suspension for Game 4. Rangers forward Daniel Carcillo was given a game misconduct for jostling linesman Scott Driscoll and Brandon Prust's high open-ice hit is being discussed by the league office.

"He can't do that, obviously, what he did there, but we'll let the league handle that," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "I believe if a penalty would have been called on Prust, it probably wouldn't have happened, but there is nothing we can do about it."

PHOTOS: Best from the Eastern Conference Final

Game 6: The New York Rangers celebrate beating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 to win the Eastern Conference Finals. Andy Marlin, USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban tied the game two minutes into the third period. It was his first goal of the series and first point in six games. It ended the Rangers' run of 27 consecutive penalty kills. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Tokarski started because Carey Price was injured in a collision in the crease in Game 1. New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) and Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) crashed into New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist during the first period. but he was fine. Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers forward Rick Nash, right, put his team ahead on a 3-on-2 break late in the first period. It was his second goal in two games after getting none in 14 games. Eric Bolte, USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers left wing Benoit Pouliot collides with Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski during the third period. No goalie injury this time for the Canadiens. Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports

Game 1: The Montreal Canadiens continued the tradition of having a child carry a torch out to center ice during the pregame ceremony. But the New York Rangers were on fire in this game, winning 7-2 on May 17. Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis scores the opening goal past Montreal's Carey Price. His mother's funeral was supposed to be Saturday, but his family moved it back one day. Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports